Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-03-04

up a system of concubinage in Utah,
dedicated to depravity, degradation, and
the habits of the beasts OF the field.
Section nineteen provides that the pro-
bate judges of each county in the Terri
tory shall be appointed blythe President
with the advice and consent of the Sem
ate. This is the breaking of one of the
strongest and most cherished link OF the
polygamous bondage.
Section twenty abolishes woman's sui
frage in Utah, and thus destroys root
and branch, one of the most perniclous
and prolific sources of polygamous DOM
ination. This point alone is well worth
the labor and pains bestowed by the loyal
people of Utah upon the entire bill.
Section twenty-five sweeps away the
present boundaries of the election dis
tricts of the Territory, and provides for re-
districting on fair and equal basis.
This cures one of the most crying evils
of Mormon dominion. Heretofore the
election districts have been at the mercy
of the Saints, and have had their
boundaries changed as the necessities OF
Mnrmon candidates demanded.
Section twenty-four contains the test
oath which is as follows:
"That every male person twenty one years
of age resident in the Territory or Utan
shall, as condition precedent to his right
to register or vote at any election IN SAID
Territory take and subscribe an oath or al.
frmation before the registration otncer OF
his voting precinct, that he is over twenty
one wears of age and has resided IN the Ter
ritory of Utah for six months then last past
and in the precinct for one month I'M
mediately preceding the date thereof, and
that he is a native born (or naturallzed, as
the case may be) citizen OF the united
States, and further states in such oatn or
affirmation his full name, with ms age
place of business, his status, whether single
or married, and if married the name OF MS
lawful wife, and that he will support the
Constitution of the United States and Will
faithfully obey the laws thereof, and espe-
cialIy will obey the act of Congress approved
March %, 1882, entitled San act to amend
section 1852 of the Revised Statutes OF the
United States, In reference to blgamy, ana
for other purposes" and will also obey this
act In respect of the crimes in said act de-
fined and forbidden, and that he will not,
directly or indirectly, aid or abet, counsel or
advice, any other person to commit any OF
said Grimes"
It seems to us that this oath is amply
sufficient to fulfllit purpose, which is to
disfranchise all polygamists, aiders, abet-
tors and sympathizers. In case it does
not, and the men against whom 1t Is
aimed purjure themselves for political
power, then measures will be divised
which will meet the unalterable purpose
OF the American Nation that polygamy
shall have no part or parcel of power
within the Nations limits. Congress in
the extra session to be probably called
may render to Utah an other great SER
vice.
An encouraging phase of this test oath
business, however, is to be found in the
fact that the Edmunds law has been
largely successful in excluding Mormons
with polygamous leanings from jurys, and
if the Edmunds law cannot be swallowed,
surely the test oath will be a deadly gag.
Section twenty-five abolishes the Office
of Territorial Superintendent of Schools,
and places the educational authority in
the hands of a commissioner appointed by
the Supreme Court. This official is given
the power to drive from the public schools
of the Territory all books of sectarian
character. Learning to be Mormons will
no longer be the principal object of Terri
torial education. The ultimate good
results of this measure are beyond cal
culation.
Section twenty-seven and last dis
bands the Mormon militia, and loyal ears
will no longer be afflicted with public
boasts of Sanity military power.
While THE DEMOCRAT would have pre-
ferred the measure to have been more
radical, the majority of its provisions are
very acceptable. Time will be great ally
of the bill as it finally becomes law.
Great abuses are not suppressed in an
hour, nor evils Of deeply rooted and
mammoth growth destroyed in a day.
Patience and wisdom, as well as decision,
are called for in this, the final dealing
with the question of polygamy. The
measure seeks the good of the people of
Utah, and is instinct with Territorial
life. 1t deserves and will receive the
cordial and thankful support Of Utah's
thoughtful and loyal citizens who at last
see in the future brightness which will
widen and tighten until their fair Terri
tory shall know the full sun OF prosperity
and greatness